24 April 2023

Trend Report: Nautical Fashion

From sailor collars to classic stripes, nautical-inspired fashion tends to come back around season after season. Here’s everything you need to know about where it started, the designers who love it, and how to work it into your SS23 wardrobe…

By Sapna Rao

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LES VACANCES D'IRINA

The Background

A lot of nautical fashion takes its inspiration from the naval uniforms worn during the First and Second World Wars. Members of the royal family have also embraced the trend, as well as historical figures like Napoleon Bonaparte. He made popular the breton stripes that were adopted by Coco Chanel, who feminised the style in the mid-1930s. By the 1950s, Hollywood icons like Grace Kelly had injected some much-needed glamour into the look, before iconoclasts like Jean Paul Gaultier and Vivienne Westwood put a punk spin on the trend.

Coco Chanel FEMINISED THE STYLE in the mid-1930s. By the 1950s, Hollywood icons like Grace Kelly had injected some MUCH NEEDED GLAMOUR into the look.

CELINE

The Evolution

Today, nautical fashion remains close to its roots – especially when the cruise and resort collections roll round. Chanel, Celine and Saint Laurent are long-time champions of the look. During Chanel’s Cruise 2019 show – which was set on an actual boat –creative director Karl Lagerfeld introduced quirky pieces such as shoulder bags fashioned like mini lifebuoys, alongside the usual striped twinsets and bouclé fabrics. More contemporary brands like Loewe have also breathed new life into the look, focusing on raffia basket bags and bucket hats, as well as bolder shades and oversized silhouettes. On the high street, French brand Maje does nautical fashion so well – think collared cardigans, breton striped jumpers and sweet cropped jackets.

@CLAIREROSE; @WENDYSWAN; @LESVANACESDIRINA

The Look

To nail stylish nautical dressing, it’s best to stick to the classics: navy, white and stripes. The beauty lies in the versatility – a cropped, striped jacket paired with sleek tailored trousers will never feel dated or too cliché. Today, swapping out the trousers for a relaxed pair of blue jeans and adding a raffia tote can make the look feel fresh and young. Looking for a more subtle way to dip your toe in? Opt for structural pieces like a big collared shirt or a breton striped jumper with linen trousers and a fun red neckerchief. For ultimate cool-girl inspiration, look at Kendall Jenner in Bottega Veneta’s silky white dress, paired with a navy crew-neck sweater either around the waist or draped over your shoulders.